<p>The Technological Laboratories for Advanced Materials and Processes are the experimental branch of the Structures and Materials Unit. They are able to carry out both study, test and characterization activities of innovative materials and prototyping of advanced aeronautical and space structures through the development and set up of advanced process technologies. They include three experimental units:</p><ul><li><p><strong>Innovative Materials Lab </strong>for the study and development of high performance structures under extreme conditions. The lab is able to perform basic thermal analysis on materials such as calorimetry, thermal expansion coefficient and their thermomechanical properties. It is also capable to execute mass loss measurement following thermal treatments, and to measure the viscosity of fluids and suspensions. In addition, the lab includes a microscopy section, containing some optical microscope for composite and metallographic analysis, and an Environmental Electron Scanning Microscope (ESEM-FEG). The laboratory also includes an in-house developed instrument for the measurement of the contact angle between a fluid and the surfaces it comes into contact with.</p></li><li><p><strong>Metallic Materials Technology Lab </strong>for the study and development of advanced processes for the production of metallic structural components through additive manufacturing technology. The lab includes an additive layer manufacturing machine (ALM) with EBM (Electron Beam Melting) ARCAM A2X technology whose build envelope is 200x200x380 mm (W/D/H). The lab also includes a powder recovery system and a software able to set up the additive job (a CAD/3D printing interface).</p></li><li><p><strong>Composite Materials Technology Lab </strong>for the study and development of innovative processes for the prototyping of composite structural components through automated technologies (FIG5). The lab includes environments and tools for hand-layup, automated deposition of thermoset and thermoplastic prepregs, Filament Winding (dry and wet) 6-dof, Parallel Robotic Winding (dry and we) 8-dof, Thermoplastic (single) Fiber Placement, Resin Transfer Moulding and Liquid Infusion, Autoclave curing and thermoplastic hot pressing.</p></li></ul><p>The Technological Laboratories for Advanced Materials and Processes actively participate in several projects funded by EU, MIUR ASI and ESA in order to pursue the mission and achieve the objectives given for the Structures and Materials competencies area.</p>

https://www.cira.it/en/space/accesso-allo-spazio-satelliti-ed-esplorazione/interstadio-grid/INTERSTADIO GRID - The Interstage 2/3 of the new European launcher, VEGA C

INTERSTADIO GRID - The Interstage 2/3 of the new European launcher, VEGA C

CIRA in partnership with Avio is involved in the development and qualification of the interstage 2/3 of the new European launcher, VEGA C, in the frame of the VECEP Program of ESA.
The new Interstage will be constituted by a composite grid structure, characterized by a low weight and high structural properties.

https://www.cira.it/en/space/accesso-allo-spazio-satelliti-ed-esplorazione/metmat/METMAT - Development of Microstructured Materials

METMAT - Development of Microstructured Materials

The project Microstructured materials/Metamaterials aims at developing the theoretical and numerical tools for the modelling of the mechanical properties of materials with a defined, architecture microstructure.

https://www.cira.it/en/space/accesso-allo-spazio-satelliti-ed-esplorazione/oppla/OPPLA Process Parameters Optimization for the EBM system

OPPLA Process Parameters Optimization for the EBM system

In the OPPLA project it is proposed to investigate on the EBM process parameters in order to identify those ones that mainly influence the morphological and mechianical properties of the components manufactured by EBM Tech.

Development of an innovative design criteria for the reduction of the weight and cost of the primary structures made of composite material, also by means of out-of-autoclave process, through the use of information coming from structural health monitoring systems (SHM).

https://www.cira.it/en/space/accesso-allo-spazio-satelliti-ed-esplorazione/tb-grid/TB-GRID - A Satellite central tube and a boom for deployable antennas to be manufactured in composite materials

TB-GRID - A Satellite central tube and a boom for deployable antennas to be manufactured in composite materials

TB Grid Project aims to design and manufacture by means of automated processes a satellite central tube and a boom for deployable antennas to be manufactured in composite materials with a grid architecture.

The project aims at the definition, development and application of enabling technologies for the development of piston engines, for General Aviation aircraft (GA) and for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) applications, with low environmental impact and high autonomy.